DOMESTIC ABUSER JAILED AFTER HE HELD GIRLFRIEND’S HEAD UNDER WATER
A male involved in domestic violence has been sentenced to prison after he forcibly entered the bathroom where his new partner was bathing and submerged her head underwater.Sammie Rabbeth, 45, threatened to kill the woman during the same night he later strangled her when she refused to comply with his demands.
According to Aberdeen Sheriff Court records, Rabbeth held the woman’s throat tightly and ominously stated, “Look what I can do.” Earlier that evening, he entered the bathroom uninvited while she was in the bath and held her head underwater for almost thirty seconds.
Rabbeth later expressed remorse, calling those actions “deeply regrettable.” Fiscal depute Rebecca Thompson explained that on May 30, 2023, the couple returned home around 8 pm after visiting family.
While she was bathing, Rabbeth approached and declared he was leaving, with her indicating she would accompany him.
He reacted violently, shouting, “You’re not going out, you’re not going nowhere,” before kicking down the bathroom door and physically attacking her, pushing her into the water with his hands around her neck and holding her underwater briefly.
The woman fought to escape, scratching and pushing him until he relented, allowing her to leave the bath.
Rabbeth later apologized, and she retreated to the bedroom.
Soon after, Rabbeth entered the room again, demanded they move to the living room, and without warning, violently attacked her, grabbing her throat, punching her twice in the stomach, and yelling that he would kill her.
During this assault, he strangled her, impairing her breathing.
He eventually released her, remarking, “Look what I can do,” before apologising once more.
The pair then fell asleep on the sofa.
At around 5 am, as Rabbeth was asleep, the woman collected her belongings and left the house quietly, subsequently calling the police.
In court, Rabbeth pleaded guilty to repeated abusive conduct, specifically assault resulting in injury and endangering her life.
Defence solicitor McGregor noted Rabbeth understood that a custodial sentence was very likely, acknowledging his acknowledgment of guilt and the frightening nature of his conduct.
Sheriff Findlater jailed Rabbeth, of Petersham Drive, Orpington, Kent, for a total of 36 months.
